Despite the report, none of the managers who oversaw the hospital have been sanctioned or punished.

Sir David has apologised over the scandal but has resisted pressure from back-bench MPs and relations of the victims for him to resign. The Prime Minister has also supported him remaining in position.

The Daily Telegraph last week disclosed that several Cabinet ministers privately believe that Sir David should stand aside.

One Cabinet minister said Sir David’s position was “completely unacceptable” and symbolised how the Civil Service did not penalise failure.

Several ministers are understood to have raised “very serious concerns” about Sir David but the Prime Minister has been advised by the head of the Civil Service that the NHS would be destabilised by his removal.

Some MPs have suggested that Sir David could be forced out following his appearance before the parliamentary committee next week.

Mr Cameron has said he would stand by Sir David and warned that “we should not be seeking scapegoats” over what happened at Mid Staffs.

Sir David was chief executive of the strategic health authority overseeing Mid Staffs in 2005.